Psalm 116

Responding to God During a Difficult Time in One’s Life
The Psalms contain Hebrew poetic forms. In Psalm 116 Robert Alden shows how Hebrew parallelism occurs:



It is a chiastic parallelism that occurs here, that is, there is a pivotal point in the centre of the Psalm,      “ he is saved, you let me live” and then there are ripples out from the pivotal point like a rock dropped into a pond. Notice the similarities moving out from the centre between top and bottom, i.e. A A1, BB1, etc. See how they compliment one another. It is a powerful restatement of God helping in a time of need and He deserves our upmost praise and thanks.
When God hears our prayers in a time of need we rejoice and are so thankful. It is not a by passing thought of thanks but one of greater commitment to God. He desires our full commitment in a vow or seeking God with our whole heart, mind, and soul. The author of the Psalm commits himself as a servant to the Lord. He offers thanks. It is interesting this is all done in public of fellow believers.
How has God saved you in a time of need lately?  Have you shared it with other believers?
May our lives as believers show a vital ongoing relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ that others can not but help see and hear.

Gary

3 Month Reading Plan - Psalm 119:1-32

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